Clover Cottage: A feel good cosy read perfect for your summer holiday reading (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 3)
Page 25
Everyone applauded.
‘I’m hanging up my scrubs and this old bugger is finally retiring to spend time with his beautiful wife.’
Whilst everyone was still clapping Stuart looked from Rory to Allie. When the applause died down he continued, ‘You are both going from strength to strength, living your lives, supporting each other and loving each other. I’m sure you will all join in raising our glasses to Rory, Allie and their future at Clover Cottage.’
‘Hear, hear,’ everyone chorused in unison.
Allie noticed that Alana whispered something in Rory’s ear then slipped something into his hand.
‘Now I believe Rory would like to say a few words. Over to you, son.’
Rory stood up and Stuart stepped to one side.
Allie raised an eyebrow at Rory. ‘What are you up to?’ she whispered, giving a nervous laugh.
Rory held her gaze and took a deep breath.
‘Here goes. As you all know, I’ve known Allie for most of my life. When she turned up in our village she was a shy girl … How things have changed,’ he said, grinning. ‘But I’ll never forget the first time I plucked up the courage to ask you out on a date. I was covered head to toe in blood after saving your dog’s life, and you still said yes. I knew I was punching above my weight. In fact, even to this day the lads remind me of that.’ Rory gave a swift look at Drew and Fergus, who were smirking and holding up their glasses in acknowledgement.
‘Definitely punching above your weight,’ shouted Fergus, but stopped heckling when Felicity gave him a stern look.
Rory turned towards Allie. ‘As much as I’m excited to be going off to Africa, I’m going to miss you and can’t wait to get home and build our new future together.’
Allie felt herself trembling as Rory knelt down on one knee. He held up a small red box in front of her. ‘This ring was my grandmother’s, and it brought her and my grandfather years and years of happiness. They had the most fantastic marriage and if we are half as happy as our own parents, we are going to be very lucky. Allie Macdonald, will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife?’
Allie gasped then clamped her hand to her mouth as the whole room fell silent.
‘Well, say something,’ whispered Rory, looking up with big, hopeful eyes.
‘Yes … yes … YES!’ she gasped, the happy tears streaming down her cheeks.
Rory’s face said it all as he stood up and slipped the ring onto Allie’s finger.
‘The girl said YES!’ he exclaimed.
‘Is this really happening?’ she asked, beaming down at the elegant diamond ring that sparkled on her finger.
‘You’d better believe it. You are my happy-ever-after, Allie Macdonald. Now kiss me!’
Allie didn’t need to be asked twice. She brushed her lips against his and melted into his arms.
Everyone was on their feet clapping. Meredith and Fraser popped the champagne corks and began to fill the glasses while Stuart and Alana joined Rory and Allie, hugging them tight.
Allie couldn’t believe it. This was it, their happy-ever-after. Rory was hers and she was his and they had such exciting times ahead of them.
As Allie looked out over the sea of faces, she caught the eye of Martha, who winked straight at her. She had been right; she was in charge of her own destiny. And he was standing right beside her.
‘Allie Scott … it has a nice ring to it,’ said Allie, not taking her eyes off the diamond on her finger.
‘It has a perfect ring to it.’
‘I love you,’ said Allie, feeling on top of the world. It felt good making plans and having hope for their future together.
‘I love you more … but we do need to talk at some point … I’m still up for having a football team!’
‘Not a chance, Rory Scott, not a chance!’
THE END
Dying to know more about brooding and mysterious Flynn Carter and the secrets behind his plans for Starcross? You can read all about what happens next in Starcross Manor …
Get your copy here if you’re in the UK and here if you’re in the US.
Be sure to follow Christie on Twitter @ChristieJBarlow, on Facebook @ChristieJBarlow, and check out her website at christiebarlow.com for all the updates on her latest work.
You can also find us at @0neMoreChapter_, where we’ll be shouting about all our new releases.
In the mood for even more incredible fiction?
You will adore The First Date by Zara Stoneley, a hilarious and heartwarming romantic comedy about what happens when the wrong guy turns up at the right time. Get your copy here if you’re in the UK, and here if you’re in the US.
And don’t miss the historical romance of 2020, Before the Crown by Edith Bell, which tells the story of the secret engagement between Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the tempestuous wake of the Second World War. Get your copy here if you’re in the UK, and here if you’re in the US.
Happy reading!
A Letter from Christie
Dear Readers,
Firstly if you are reading this letter, thank you for choosing to read Clover Cottage.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this book, if you did, I would be grateful if you’d write a review. Your recommendations can always help other readers to discover my books.
This is my TENTH BOOK, and I’m really sorry for the SHOUTY CAPITALS but I’m super proud I have ten books published. Writing for a living is truly the best job in the world and I love spending my time in a fictional land.
I’m particularly proud of this novel due to the fact I could have easily given up writing in the last eighteen months due to my health and personal circumstances but good things do happen in life when you surround yourself with kind beautiful positive people. They’ve taught me to dream big, work hard and stay focussed.
All the characters in the Love Heart Lane series have been a huge part of my life in the last two years and the good news is there are still more books to come based around the little village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highlands.
Huge thanks to everyone who has been involved in this project. I truly value each and every one of you and it’s an absolute joy to hear from all my readers via, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Please do keep in touch!
Warm wishes,
Christie x
Acknowledgements
I’m absolutely shouting from the rooftops that my tenth book has been published, I really can’t quite believe it!
It takes a great team of people to get a book over the finish line and there is truly a long list of fabulous folk to thank.
Special thanks to my fabulous gang: Emily, Jack, Roo and Mop, who are simply the best.
Woody (my mad cocker spaniel) and Nellie (my labradoodle) you are both my writing partners in crime and are always up to no good but I love you.
Endless love to Anita Redfern (BMITWE) my one true friend, who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
I couldn’t do this job alone and I want to express huge love to One More Chapter. I am beyond blessed to be working with such a fantastic team. Many thanks to the utterly beautiful Charlotte Ledger, who goes far beyond the call of duty to encourage, inspire and make the magic happen. I still can’t believe you turn my stories into books … thank you!
Big love to my frightfully brilliant editor, Emily Ruston, (feelings, Barlow – we need feelings!) whose encouragement and belief throughout the year has kept me writing when times have been tricky.
Thanks to my agent Kate Nash, for your vision, energy and continuous support in me.
High fives to Bella Osborne, Erin Green, Glynis Peters, Kiren Parmar … You rock! Writing can be a lonely job but thank you for providing continuous laughs along the way.
Team Barlow! Huge love to my merry band of supporters and friends: Sue Miller, Jenny Berry, Tammi Forbes-Owen, Annette Hannah, Claire Knight, Sarah Hardy and Joanne Robertson, whose support has never wavered from when my very first book was published.
Writing can be a solitary profession but when your book flies out into the big wide world it’s a team effort and I have the most amazing squad of merry supporters.
A special thank you to my technical experts Nicola Rickus and Molly Mckendrick for their wonderful veterinary knowledge when writing this story.
Biggest thank you to the fabulous bloggers, reviewers and wonderful readers for getting behind my books in such an overwhelming way. I am eternally grateful for your constant sharing of posts and your support for my writing is truly appreciated.
Finally, this book wouldn’t have been written if it wasn’t for my eldest daughter Emily. My awesome girl provided the little spark for this story when she took the brave decision to leave everything and everyone she knew to up sticks and leave England for a year to work in Madrid as a teacher without knowing a single word of Spanish.
Thank you so much for all your lovely messages, tweets and emails, please do keep them coming. They mean the world to me.
I have without a doubt enjoyed writing every second of this book and I hope you enjoy hanging out with Allie and Rory. Please do let me know!
Warm wishes,
Christie x
Also by Christie Barlow
The Love Heart Lane Series
Love Heart Lane
Foxglove Farm
Standalone Novels
The Cosy Canal Boat Dream
A Home at Honeysuckle Farm
About the Author
Christie Barlow is the number 1 international bestselling author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and the Love Heart Lane series.
Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject, raising money and awareness and engaging with communities in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being. She is also Literary Editor for mamalifemagazine.co.uk, bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.
She loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via the platforms below.
@ChristieJBarlow
@ChristieJBarlow
@ChristieBarlow
christiebarlow.com
About the Publisher
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